| According to the IRS, millions of Americans use | | | | in the spring of 2011, will be available online, and |
| tax preparers every year to help them with their | | | | will be open book. Each tax preparer will have to |
| income taxes. However, the help you've been | | | | pay another fee to take the tests. |
| paying for is about to change. Starting in | | | | 4. As part of the tax preparer registration, each |
| September, the IRS is going to begin enforcing | | | | preparer will also be required to take continuing |
| strict new tax preparer certification rules. All of | | | | education classes. To comply with this part of |
| these tax preparer regulations will take effect in | | | | the certification, each tax preparer will have to |
| the 2011 tax season. | | | | pay for the classes, in addition to the registration |
| The IRS says this tax preparer regulation is | | | | and test fees. Each tax preparer will have to |
| designed to make sure that Americans have | | | | complete 15 hours of continuing education every |
| more capable tax assistance. However, | | | | year. |
| opponents of the changes say they're hurting the | | | | 5. Once the tax preparer registration is complete, |
| tax preparer industry by adding unnecessary | | | | each preparer is subject to the ethical rules |
| fees. So, what are the facts? | | | | created by the Department of Treasury. |
| Here's what the new tax preparer certification | | | | Originally, these rules were only intended for |
| entails: | | | | accountants, attorneys, and enrolled agents. |
| 1. Starting on September 1, 2010, all tax preparers | | | | Need Help? The National Board of Tax |
| must register with the IRS. A tax preparer's | | | | Practitioners is considered the voice of the |
| registration will last for three years, and of | | | | independent tax preparer. They are offering a |
| course, there's a registration fee. According to | | | | free two-hour workshop for tax professionals |
| the IRS, each tax preparer will have to pay | | | | that will help them with the registration process. |
| $75-$300 every three years to keep their | | | | To learn more about National Board of Tax |
| registration current. | | | | Practitioners, visit |
| 2. During the tax preparer registration process, | | | | So, what happens if you don't comply with the |
| the IRS will check to make sure that each | | | | new tax preparer certification rules? The IRS |
| applicant does not have a criminal background and | | | | says it will investigate tax preparers who try to |
| actually pays his own taxes. Then, the tax | | | | operate without registering, and there will be |
| preparer will be given a PTIN, or a Preparer Tax | | | | penalties, but they haven't said exactly what |
| Identification Number. That's the number they'll | | | | those penalties will be. As for consumers, they |
| put on your signed tax form before it's sent to | | | | will be able to check a new tax preparer |
| the IRS. | | | | certification database, to see if their service has |
| 3. As part of this tax preparer certification, each | | | | successfully completed the tax preparer |
| registered tax preparer will have to pass | | | | registration process. |
| competency tests. The tests, which should begin | | | | |